The Easy Way to Lay Block Paving

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Wow, that looks great Stuart! Brilliant video as always 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much Mr Rag 'n' Bone. I learnt how to pave following your excellent video last week!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

@@ProperDIY 😂

[@george-1961]

Always looking forward to your blogs, especially enjoyed this one 👌🏻

[@troy4312]

wanted to treat my sister to doing her garden up while she is away as it was a complete tip, never attempted anything like this before ever, watched this and laid her a lovely path down the side of garden in about 3 and half days lovely simple instructions and watched one of your videos for a garden storage box but made into a little bench so she can sit and watch the kids play and have somewhere to store there copious amounts of toys and had enough time left over to level off the other side and lay some turf, great videos mate, now to build my self a work bench haha

[@davedavids2231]

There's nothing like buying a new build house and spending the rest of your life doing it up 👌

[@martinjenkins1827]

Lol nice one

[@liamsandie]

So true, 4 years to sort ours

[@daves4026]

Lol true dat. But great videos and am learning loads. Thanks for the videos

[@customsportsvans]

Absolutely true

[@pav0004]

It never ends

[@Tikkarifle]

All I hope is, that many builders (people who call themselves builders) watch your video content to see what clients would be happy with. Many thanks.

[@andrewandlm]

THE best block paving 'How to' ever. Amazing level of detail. Brilliant.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much

[@danielst-cyr]

Always like your videos. Watching from Canada where climate changes are something else. We have flexible edge banding made of plastic with spikes for the edges that keeps everything in place. Then you can use sand to fill the gaps. We also have polymer sand which is like your kiln dried sand with a "resin" coating. Once you finish vibrating it in, you mist it with water and it turns hard as concrete. Fills large gaps too. Great job on the pathway.

[@welshrambler1893]

Another excellent instructional video Stuart, well done! I've watched quite a few videos about laying block paving but your video beats them hands down for a clear explanation. Regards Keith

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much and glad you enjoyed it

[@flyc3]

Always look forward to notifications from your channel. Not only is the work first class, so is the filming and editing. How you do both at the same time is pure skill. Just wished we were taught this stuff at school, especially by someone like you. Look forward to the next one.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much for such nice comments. I do try to think ahead and it does take quiet a bit of time but worth it when I see comments like yours!

[@nialstewart8263]

Good tip about keeping track of what you're digging out as you go. I over-enthusiastically got stuck in digging out the base of a play house in the garden, dug about twice as deep as I needed to and then had to bring a load of it back, as you warned about. :-(

[@danielfoord7464]

Good video thanks for your hard work 👍

[@Gogofam123]

This channel has a therapeutic effect on my mood. 🙏😀

[@leeaw9699]

Excellent job well demonstrated...My so called drive way installer laid my blocks on building sand and when i asked him about it he said its fine. Anyway i told him not to come back and got someone else to do the job. Great video as always.

[@ProperDIY]

Good call! Anyone who thinks building sand is going to work long term should be removed from the job!

[@UncleScorch]

Excellent video, I’ve planned a walkway out to the deck on the side of our house that my wife will be able to use in her wheelchair. This is the perfect video for the project I was thinking of, many thanks!

[@thebigimageevents1189]

Love the description of a glug! Great video - I'm sure it won't be as easy when I do it....

[@frankblack1481]

That looks amazing. A classy job from start to finish. I suspect this will be one of your most well-viewed and highest-rated videos.

[@grotekleum]

Great job, thanks for sharing. Using masking tape on the bricks too when pointing, such as Scotch Blue rough surface tape, keeps the brick face nice and clean.

[@ProperDIY]

That's a great idea!

[@chumley24]

I used the dye in mortar in the summer when i replaced a retaining wall with block kerb edgings, as you say its trial and error. to get the colour right... Where the kerb edges went around the 1 corner it left large gaps which i filled with the dyed mortar. and smoothed flat to the next blocks. Once it started to cure i ran the trowel edge down the sides, this makes it look like a cut block or sliver of a block inserted in the gaps, Then used the same stuff on door step to fill the gaps which has survived the frost with ease, Great video

[@dakkan5433]

Great video really shows how much pre-preparing/excavating work must be done before the actual paving is laid Thought of doing the exact thing as well as levelling my front garden

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks - yes that's where most of the work is.

[@falkotenbosch7057]

... I just came across your channel and you had my subscription at "no respect!" instantly. Still laughing...I knew I've found a kindred spirit. Looking fwd to watching all your videos.

[@ProperDIY]

Nice one!

[@fredbloggs4829]

Great video, I need to do something similar so pleased to see your approach. Just a tip for cutting bricks with a chisel, try it on the grass, which will absorb some of the energy and stop the brick splitting somewhere else.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Good tip - maybe thats why it worked for me before

[@DazDaz105]

Good work and good advice. I threw some block pavers down on size 11 boot compacted sharp sand and smacked the blocks level with a rubber mallet. Still solid 5 years later, although I prefer your method. 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. A footpath doesn't need much. The 75mm I put down will never go anywhere. However I'm still waiting for comments tell me I should have used 150mm of type 1!

[@bettyswollocks5278]

Looks great Stuart. Little tip when cutting...To avoid cutting tiny slithers of block, replace the full block behind your cut with a half block. This way your cuts will always be at least half a block in length.

[@ProperDIY]

Good point!

[@julianreverse]

In Germany your Type 1 is called 0/32, which stands for 0mm - 32mm, usually lime or basalt. Instead of Sand which is a great ant home, we use 2/5 basalt.

[@awantamta]

That is a very neat and tidy job and the bottom line is the bins are happy.

[@ProperDIY]

That's the main thing!

[@SoundOfYourDestiny]

Wow, that part about the petrol was really eye-opening! I was wondering what was wrong with my compactor.

[@MrSmid888]

Top job sir, excellent. I prefer a plastic float for sand. Also a wee rubber mallet for tapping in cuts. Here’s my top tip…….. When pointing flags or border blocks in this instance if you sit your metal plasters float on its edge exactly on the edge of the material you’re about to fill, then offer in the mortar against it and it slides nicely down the face into the gap. As you do it you can use the trowel that you’re emptying the mortar off as the second “edge” in the motion. Also you can hold the gear against the float and if you’ve got too much just scoop it back up the face and back into the bucket, it’ll just sit nicely against the metal float on its edge, just cut it off level using the other pointing trowel with the top of the block/flag, then run the pointing tool over it etc.It’s a bit hard to explain writing but I’m sure you get the idea. It’s not bomb proof but it does stop things getting really messy! Cheers all the best

[@harryinhuahin1272]

Sounds good to me

[@spatel3783]

really helpful video, loved all the background explanation, like why we use MOT Type 1. Appreciate it.

[@lesthiele4921]

Sir, that was a excellent job you done on the small bin path, I hope you are keeping safe and well.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@antenc2505]

Great video. Watched it to help with my driveway. Really helpful 👍

[@deedee8568]

Answers my thoughts on restraining edge. Genius! Well, ingenious.

[@dougsaunders8109]

Hardest bit on Oct 1. Refilling my compactor with petrol ⛽️ as there is none to be had…. 😁 Nicely explained as always

[@ProperDIY]

Yes that was strange timming really! Thanks

[@Showing_the_car_]

Thanks for "large bulbous end" and the definition of a glug 😀 Another cracking job as usual.

[@ProperDIY]

You only get a large bulbous end on this channel!!!

[@dave9456]

What a lot of work buddy for something or nothing Saying that my mate who laid my 10m sq curved in places driveway didn't seem to put in much effort as you did Thanks for your demo, that bugger owes me a 50% reduction lol Good job 🙌🙌

[@OfficialGamerGuides]

Thanks for the help much appreciated, I wasn't sure if i needed block edging or not, but after seeing your video, I don't need them as mine will be foot traffic only 👍

[@louai.hunedy]

Excellent job, properly explained with pure simplicity, well done mate.

[@neilarmour4497]

Thats a really nice job. Something I was never that sure about doing myself but it's like everything else, once you know how to do it properly it looks great. Nice work.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you. Start small - buy blocks individually from B&Q and work up

[@r0ckworthy]

Ah ha! So that's how you make the bricks along the edges super strong! You dig out some material underneath and then couch the whole corner in mortar! That would give you heroic-strength corners. Thanks Mr. Proper DIY.

[@somewhereelse3813]

Great finished job with great tips along the way that may prove useful for other projects for us novices. As always thanks

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@pauldavies8112]

Hello Stuart. A good way of cutting a brick/paving block with a hammer and bolster is to place it on a mound of sand, this minimises the splitting in an unwanted part.

[@davidclark3603]

That's a nice neat finished job. I can do anything but groundwork. I worked for years at a university in their electrical departments. I can't do groundwork! Of course you can, people say! No i can't! I wish i could, but i cannot. Well done to anyone who can.

[@i4mCAST]

This guy is a UNIT, a straight machine 💪🏼 Awesome job, got me motivated!!! +1 Subscription

[@maxmelser35]

really awesome and clear instructions, one of the best I'v seen

[@georgepritchard3010]

Decent looking job that. Placing blocks on a bed of sand when bolster cutting helps them cut in the right place but disk cutting is the way forward as shown by those nice fits on the cuts. Highly recommend the Marcrist blades. Not the cheapest but they last.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Good tips - I'll have to try next time.

[@paulrowley71]

Fantastic job there. You make it look so easy!

[@ProperDIY]

Not too difficult except digging 2 cube of earth on your own - that's not fun!

[@barrywall3333]

Excellent video Stuart, one of the best yet I think.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you, do you think so, I'm glad you liked it.

[@RichardHarper83]

Great video - it's refreshing to see someone doing it properly!

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much!

[@pandraus]

I've watched all videos from the intro now, minus the broom one! great video as always!

[@ProperDIY]

Well done I'm most impressed. (To let you into a secret the broom one was not a video just me clearing out the garage before starting to build the garage door!)

[@rogercresswell1720]

Looked like a lot of hard work but a nice stylish path in the end. Great result.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Anything based around digging and moving heavy materials is always hard work

[@NAZAM1122]

You're so professional. I wish I had you do my driveway 😊

[@erimus1]

It’s “sun-formation” under your type one. The type one is your formation. And you don’t need to compact virgin ground as it’s as hard as it will get already. Only reason you would do that would be to seal it. And you can over compact type one as it migrates the fines and you lose the bond - and method of measurement would give you the amount of passes necessary at what compaction

[@Rolandpgbrooks]

Excellent Video, I made the mistake of no enough sub base so made up the level with sand. Even though it was compacted. it ha now started to settle.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. Oh, thats a shame

[@valborchardt3596]

Oh wow Stuart, you really very hard….turned out great though so well done to you….as always, take care and be safe

[@robincooney1263]

Thank you - based on sound knowledge as ever. Always listen to the Engineer.

[@anthonywatkins2783]

Very good tutorial with clear instructions through the whole of your video, very useful, thank you. 👍

[@BlueJayKRO]

Great job mate. Depending on whether they’re Clays or concrete blocks all depends on how they split. I use a 9” grinder as I consider it to be far neater than a block splitter or hammer and bolster, although as you say the grinder does make it a dirty and noisy job. Got yourself a new sub either way 👍🏼

[@hughroberts5569]

Fantastic video Will give me the confidence to try to build my own patio Thank you

[@ProperDIY]

You can do it!

[@norm4242]

At 0:22 where your knee is resting why are there a line of blocks that don't follow the staggered laying approach to avoid any corners touching?

[@markylg10]

Amazing work with a neat and professional finish. Top notch.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@CharlesBlackCat]

Great little video, gives me all the information to have a go myself.

[@YetSolema]

Your friend here from the philippines really enjoying your video, Full of knowledge.thanks for sharing this video my friend.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks and welcome

[@ESF19791111]

VERY IMPORTANT AND RICH INFORMATION :) I LEARN A LOT FROM THIS VIDEO :) THANK YOU VERY MACH FOR SHARING :) AND IT LOOKS GREAT :) THANK YOU FROM ISRAEL :)

[@mikeprice5755]

Cracking channel. I live in a rental at the moment but I have big plans for the forever home to see me way into old age 🤣🤣

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@10mray]

Love your videos. U make the jobs look easy. Look forward to the next one

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like them!

[@pootle01]

Brilliant job as usual and explained in a simple way, love watching the videos just wish there was more than the one a week!

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you. I would love to increase the frequency and currently thinking of different ways to do it - not necessarily by doing the big jobs - I don't think my body could stand it!

[@GeeTheBuilder]

Just did my 70sqm patio this summer with porcelain 20mm thick slabs. 24” sq down to 12” sq I decided to use a thin layer of (sharp sand) concrete. And then exterior tile adhesive (since mortar doesn’t adhere to porcelain without prep) I did consider just using just the sharp sand but the area I had to work with was nasty. Lots of different areas all mixed together (some old foundations, some garden, some drainage etc) Nice job you did 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks. 70m2 of porcelain is quite a job - well done!

[@liamsandie]

We have just had ours laid 50 sq m porcelain. The prep part to work with mortar is very simple to do using a simple slurry mix

[@neilgraves5069]

Brilliant job . Back must be aching , well done 👏

[@ProperDIY]

Yes, thanks

[@jimboyle6974]

Another great video. Finished job looks great. Love to be able to do the same. Oh the house I could have if I was any way handy

[@theelitest5795]

I did the same with my patio, extended it so I had more bin storage space. The prices we pay to store our bins 😝

[@andjuju6476]

Excellent attention to detail. Quality job.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@sajanthomas480]

Thank you . I am going to do this project soon. You are superb.

[@andychapman3100]

Great video - brilliantly explained and finished !

[@jirivesely3320]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Love your videos.

[@Stu1982]

Proper job mate. Awesome video as alway. Always ready for a proper diy video.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@frankiea6482]

Fantastic video. Clear, concise explanation of how it's done. Looks beautiful. Great work ethic. 👏👍👌💥😉

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you very much

[@drummingriffin]

So a compactor won't run without fuel.....Who knew? 😁 Great tutorial and an excellent job. Cheers, Norm.

[@sujithuyanahewa9766]

im sri lankan gardner i had very importen your vedio thank you .

[@paulburns3080]

Mustard job Stewart! Really informative and clear instruction as usual 👌🏼 thanks!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@WeekendShedHead]

Fabulously produced video , and a very neat job.. some great tips 👍👏

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@adaliqbal6972]

Honestly really grateful for the help

[@vooveks]

Proper job. I’m thinking of doing my own front path soon with similar blocks, so some great tips here. I am interested in how possible/hard it would be without a tamping machine, though. The path is about 70cm wide and 3 metres long so not huge. It’s on a very tight budget basically, so trying to avoid hiring anything. Cheers.

[@carllamb6711]

Great video & job Stu …. The running out of petrol did make me laugh with your comment 👍👍👍👍

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RD-RD-66]

Another cracking video once again. Brilliant stuff!

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks

[@richbrock9876]

Happy bins, that’s what we all came for and indeed aspire to 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Yep

[@diquadhumungersaur492]

helpswithbolster to score all way rnd with lightish hit before giving it a good sharp thwack.. think the prescore gives the break something to "follow"

[@davecook9513]

looks great and fantastic walkthrough there, thanks

[@roberthamilton2334]

Interesting video Stuart!! Top job

[@paulwilk69]

Wickes sell a sand that has a weed suppressant ingrained into it , I've used it for a couple of customers on resanding block paving .

[@Bob-ls7uf]

Have subscribed and been following your vids. Very Informative, entertaining and a breath of fresh air. :)

[@ProperDIY]

I'm glad you are enjoying them

[@keithwebb658]

If you are shoveling type 1, get it tipped on to a hard surface ie old sheets of ply or concrete so much easier to shovel into wheel barrows shoveling out of bags is a nightmare.

[@andypatterson530]

Outstanding video. Just about to do an L shaped path at the back of my house

[@markrowley16]

absolutely great video.........i just have one question, what about membrane to stop weeds? ...and where should this be positioned - below the crushed limestone? above the limestone but below the sand? above the sand and below the block?

[@keithfoster7966]

When you explained MOT, WE called it tip and run, so put the sub base down then Compact

[@maxwilliams1060]

Cheers mate, now I want to become a builder.

[@siriosstar4789]

That's a super nice job . I suspect you could drive a car on that . impressive result 👍

[@Orgakoyd]

Great video, thanks! I'm curious if weed growth through the joints will be am issue? Our house with existing block paving from I don't know how many years ago gets growth through it like crazy. I'm wondering if it wasn't done properly or if even if I do what you did here it will be the same?

[@tayred81]

Always enjoying your videos.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you

[@DjGiluk]

Great content! I always learn so much from you. Thank you and keep up the great work!

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks, will do!

[@stefanp6141]

In a next video you could show us how to apply a proper block sealant which also stabilise the sand and inhibits weed growth

[@ProperDIY]

I haven't found one yet. All my other paving has resin mortar that is supposed to do that but still doesn't.

[@louisli2571]

very detailed and beautiful work !!!! learn a lot

[@ProperDIY]

Glad to hear that!

[@richardphillips3303]

Awesome job- really useful tips and thanks for sharing your expertise 👍😊

[@ProperDIY]

No problem

[@alancraigie7951]

Thank you, as always a really informative video. Love your channel. 👍👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks for watching!